Car-Top Test Module as a Low-Cost Alternative to Wind Tunnel Testing of UAV Propulsion Systems
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 27, Issue 6
Abstract
In an effort to assess motor and propeller performance for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a car-top test module has been developed. This device allows for characterization of propeller and motor combinations in mean flow without the investment that is inherent with wind tunnel testing. Additionally, propulsion systems can be tested for reliability in real-world environments without risk to an airframe. Measurements of the propeller efficiency, thrust coefficient, power coefficient, and temperature of the motor and the electronic speed controller as initial parameters of interest are reported. Thrust at different advance ratios is compared to data from wind tunnel testing in order to gauge the accuracy of this technique. The module performed well in its intended role, and it is recommended that similar devices be used for time-critical or low-cost applications.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported in part by WSU president Elson Floyd’s signature student design program and by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CMMI-1026264. The authors would like to thank Kurt Hutchinson and the Mechanical Engineering 406 lab at WSU for their assistance.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 6 • November 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 4, 2013
Accepted: Apr 3, 2014
Published online: May 28, 2014
Discussion open until: Oct 28, 2014
Published in print: Nov 1, 2014
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